April 30th!

[kpay10 95]

I am going to order the unflavored, too. I had a sample and used it in yogurt and cottage cheese and it was fine.

Yes, the heat is killer! I got out last night for a late walk and early this morning.

[MichelleInCA 22]

Oh, I have to try tuna salad tonight -- did you put yours in the blender as recommended?

I have Constipation too. Not horrible, but not good either. Doc said try Fiber first and Miralax if that doesn't work. I got some Fiber gummies, but they seem to have a small effect. If I want to go fast I can try some hummus again but that's probably not a healthy way to clear out the pipes, haha.

I've only lost 8 lbs since surgery, so you're not the only slow one. I've always been a slow loser and now I'm 54, so I'm trying not to obsess either. It's hard not to weigh every day -- you want to see results from all this caloric restriction!

Doc said she wants to see 3-4 lbs/week. If I'm getting 3 or below, then I need to exercise more. If only I had some energy to do some serious exercise, but I don't yet.

I'm back at work since last Thursday. I like having that distraction, or I think about food constantly. I can't say my brain is working that well, though. Good enough I guess

That's great, Michelle! I saw my surgeon today, too, and was advanced to soft foods My first meal was tuna salad. It tasted great! I might try refried Beans tomorrow!

Possible TMI- I'm suffering from horrible constipation. I've tried colace, which works a little, but I think I'm going to get some Miralax tomorrow. It's really putting a damper on my recovery!

Also, I only lost 6 lbs. these past 2 weeks. I'm feeling a little down about that. Seems others are losing more. I'm trying not to obsess about it, though. It will come off when it's ready, I guess....

Edited May 14, 2014 by MichelleInCA

[MichelleInCA 22]

Is powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury unflavored really mild? I just bought some Garden of Life Raw Protein, unflavored. Others love it but I don't like it at all. It's made from rice husks and tastes like dirt. That's the second unflavored one I've hated, after the Be Protein. I wish there were one that was truly tasteless and blended well with hot or cold.

I am going to order the unflavored, too. I had a sample and used it in yogurt and cottage cheese and it was fine.

Yes, the heat is killer! I got out last night for a late walk and early this morning.

[kpay10 95]

Glad I'm not the only one losing slowly, although I'd rather we were all losing FAST! lol. I like the Unjury unflavored. I can't taste it at all. I even put some in applesauce. It made it a funny color, but I couldn't taste it. I put 1 TBS in with 1/4 cup of what I'm eating. I don't know what it would taste like if I put any more, though.

[MichelleInCA 22]

Thanks kpay10, I will get some Unjury unflavored and give it a try.

[kpay10 95]

Hey ladies!

Just wondering how you are doing? I'm working hard to get my Protein and Water in. I'm almost making my goals each day, but it's a lot of work! Vitamins have been a different story. I'm taking all, but Calcium and Iron. I ordered some chewable Calcium that made me sick, so I'm waiting on some other kind to arrive in the mail. I'm still nervous about the Iron because I don't want to get any more constipated. Been struggling a bit with nausea after I eat, but so far so good this morning... I think I'm trying to eat too much, not hungry, but just wanting to get my Protein in.

I've been walking a mile+ almost daily. This morning I went clothes shopping. I'm down 2 pant sizes and 2 shirt sizes since I started my liquid diet a month ago! THAT feels great and makes the struggles worthwhile!

Hope you are doing well!

Kelly

[MichelleInCA 22]

Hi kpay10, I guess my experience is going a bit differently! I'm finding it's not that hard to get in my Protein and Water. In fact I'm wondering if I'm overeating already, although my diary tracking says I'm around 700 cals. But I haven't lost any weight since Tuesday, so I'm sort of bummed. I know it's normal, blah blah, but when it happens it's still depressing, given I'm eating half of what I did before surgery!

Today I was able to eat a cup of egg-white scrambled with no problem in about 20 mins. I feel that's too much food volume to be able to fit in there so easily. Oh well, I'm still sticking to the plan perfectly, except I had 3 prunes yesterday in an attempt to dislodge my colon's contents, haha. I had a cup of real coffee today (sorry NUT!) and that did it, yay!

I'm using Bariatric Advantage chewable Calcium and I like it - caramel flavored. I went back to the gym last night for the first time and did 25 mins on the elliptical, which I was pleased with for the first time doing real cardio since surgery.

One thing I'm struggling with is complete lack of social life. Now that I'm bringing my lunch to work, I don't go out with my colleagues. And my close friends know I can't eat anything fun so I'm not getting invited to dinners either. Waahhh, oh well, I know it's temporary and I'll be able to join them soon for most restaurants.

[Sunnybaby 95]

I have been having my ups and downs. I was moved to soft foods as of Monday and the first two nights of that for dinner I ended up throwing up because I ate too much. I am really having to be conscious of slowing down.

I am able to get in more than enough Water. In fact, liquids NEVER seem to really fill me up so I have been getting in between 64 and 88 ounces a day with no issue. I am struggling trying to get in as much Protein as possible. I bought some of the unjury unflavored Protein powder to pad my Protein intake but it has a funny smell and it made me nauseated when I tried it. I am also having a problem with bread, it just seems to fill me up too much and doesn't totally agree with my sleeve. I also tried to eat tuna this week and my sleeve wasn't really having that either. I notice that it feels like I always have an air bubble in my esophagus when I take the first couple bites or sips of something. It hurts a bit but once I keep going its fine.

This week was the first week that I regretted having WLS. I am just upset that I can't eat like a normal person anymore. I also have been craving a soda. *SIGH* It is what it is. I'll get over it I know.

Today my husband and friends and I went up to Fisherman's Wharf. I thought I was ready to spend the entire day walking around but I was wrong! Half way through the day my body was hurting, and I was exhausted. At least it was great exercise.

[kpay10 95]

Here's a recipe I love:

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 1/2 tsp egg substitute

1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning

Salt/Pepper to taste

Mix all together and top with 1/4 cup marinara and 1/4 cup low fat mozzarella

Bake in 450 oven for about 15 min or until bubbly

I spread this out over 2 meals. It is my new favorite and about 10 g Protein per serving. I might add unflavored Protein Powder the next time to boost it.

As far as the unjury unflavored, I only add 1 TBS to what ever I'm eating. It adds 5 g of Protein and is tolerable, for me at least

[MichelleInCA 22]

miss mojo I'm sorry you're having some regrets, and I'm sure that's temporary! One thing my surgeon suggested is to 'prime the pump' before eating by taking one bite and waiting a few minutes for the rest. It helps get your esophagus muscles moving, I guess. I haven't tried a bit of bread -- the classes said don't do it because it swells. That's the one thing I crave -- a piece of toast with butter! I did try tuna, but I put it in the food processor with a bit of lf mayo and mustard. It was quite creamy.

Thanks for the recipe, kpay10, that sounds yummy! I've saved it to try.

My stall finally stopped today with a 1/2 lb loss. So that's something

[Sunnybaby 95]

Thanks Kpay for the tip on the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury. I will have to test out the 1TBSP thing today. Thanks also for the recipe! I will have to try it. Sounds like it would taste kind of like lasagna but without the noodles.

Michelle - I too crave toast with butter. When I said I was having bread it was actually toast. Our program says no untoasted bread. It is interesting, before surgery all I craved was carbs (bread) and sweets. Now I could care less about the sweets but the bread is still very appealing to me. It just doesn't work for me anymore. I will definitely try the one bite then wait. I am supposed to be eating my meals spread out over a half an hour anyways and I am having a hard time grasping that so I need to slow down.

I was upset last night because I know I'm not following my program the way I should and here is my chance to take care of myself and I am not. I vowed to work harder to do what I need to do the RIGHT way. NO MORE REGRETS. It's a simple program and all it takes is me following it which I know I can do.

My stall ended on Saturday weigh in too. I lost another 1.2 pounds. I am now down a total of 33.2

[kpay10 95]

Hey ladies! How are you all doing? I'm feeling okay, but still struggling a bit to get in all my protein/fluids. I go back to work Thursday, the 29th, but only for 8 1/2 days because then we are on summer break. lol! I've got some meetings/trainings through the end of June, though. It'll be interesting to see how I manage with my co-workers eating out every day. I'll just pack my little lunch, though, and tag along...

[MichelleInCA 22]

Hi there kpay10, when you say you can't get in all your liquids and Protein, do you mean you just can't drink/eat enough? I'm finding I can eat a lot more than a tablespoon, if I eat slowly. Today for lunch I had some soft scrambled egg whites with no trouble. I'm trying some solid foods too, like a bit of chicken tonight when I was hosting a dinner party (so tired). I think I'm easily getting enough Protein. Water is more of a struggle because I forget.

My weight loss is still pretty slow, but every day or every other day I see a a half-pound change so I guess I need to be grateful for that. Every pound is a battle, but it all adds up!

I've been out to eat a couple of times now with friends. Both times I ordered well but overate before I realized it. Not to the point of being sick, but definitely not comfortable for half an hour after. So I need to adjust my strategies for eating out, certainly.

Is anyone else eating out yet?

[kpay10 95]

Yes, still unable to take in enough to meet my needs. I've decided I'll just have to do 2 Protein shakes a day to supplement. I can eat about 1/4 to 1/3 cup at a time of soft foods and only a few tablespoons of more solid (tuna, canned chicken, ground beef, etc.) Yesterday I had 2 shakes and 3 meals and finally got to 75 g and 64 oz. Finally!!

I ate out yesterday for the first time. We went out for sushi and I shared a salmon teriyaki off the kids menu with my 19 month old grandson. Haha! I also had the inside of one piece of sushi. Yum! Tonight we are going out for my daughter's birthday. She wants to go to Buca di Beppo (heavy Italian food). I'll probably have a piece of a meatball. lol! It's sure not as fun eating out anymore!

I'm losing about the same, weight wise- about 3 lbs per week. I'm seeing the lose more in my clothes, though. I bought some new pants two weeks ago (three sizes down from when I started this journey in November) and they are already a bit loose! Yay!!

[Sunnybaby 95]

Hey ladies! Just wanted to see how you both were doing. I can't believe it's already been 5.5 weeks! Time sure does fly.

I am doing well. Eating my soft foods and trying to work out like a maniac. I am down a total of 40 pounds as of last Saturday. I have gone down a total of 3 pants sizes and the ones I'm in now are getting pretty baggy so it looks like I will be going down another pant size pretty soon.

I hope you are doing wonderful and are well!